PHENIX CITY, Ala. - Two school property tax renewals will return to the ballot Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, after failing to receive approval in May, according to WTVM. The proposals involve a 4-mill district tax for Phenix City Schools and a 4.5-mill countywide school tax in Russell County. School officials say the revenue supports educational programs and operations, while the previous election results included a 14-vote defeat for the Phenix City district measure.

1. What school taxes are on the Nov. 3 ballot?

The two proposals concern existing school property taxes that previously came before voters in May, according to WTVM's Oct. 28 report. One measure concerns the 4-mill district tax for Phenix City Schools, while the other concerns a 4.5-mill countywide school tax. Both renewals failed during the earlier election.

A Russell County special election notice issued for the May 19 vote described both measures as renewals rather than increases in their existing tax rates. That notice, reported by Citizen of East Alabama, identified the countywide tax as 4.5 mills and the Phenix City district tax as 4 mills. The notice also stated that the proposed renewal period was 30 years for each tax.

The countywide school tax was originally approved Sept. 16, 1997, according to the county notice. The Phenix City district tax was originally approved Nov. 18, 1997. The district measure applies to property within Phenix City limits that lies in Russell County.

WTVM confirmed that the two tax renewals are returning to the ballot Nov. 3. The county's earlier notice described the tax year beginning Oct. 1, 2026, with payments due starting Oct. 1, 2027. Those dates appeared in the notice prepared for the May special election.

2. What 4 mills and 4.5 mills mean for property taxes

The county's May election notice explained the two rates in terms of assessed property value, according to Citizen of East Alabama. A 4-mill tax equals 40 cents for every $100 of assessed value. A 4.5-mill tax equals 45 cents for every $100 of assessed value.

The Phenix City Schools board also explained the calculation during an Oct. 27 community meeting, WTVM reported. The formula multiplies assessed value by the millage rate and divides the result by 1,000. District officials described payments in 12 installments connected to a mortgage.

The two rates can be summarized as follows:

The figures come from the Russell County special election notice published ahead of the May vote. The notice described the proposals as maintaining their existing rates rather than increasing them. WTVM's October reporting identified those same two millage rates as the measures returning in November.

3. Phenix City tax failed by 14 votes in May

The Phenix City district's 4-mill renewal was narrowly defeated in the May 19 special election, according to Citizen of East Alabama. Unofficial results reported as of May 23 showed 1,132 votes in favor, representing 49.69%, and 1,146 against, representing 50.31%. The difference was 14 votes.

The newspaper reported that the failed renewal represented approximately $1.5 million in annual revenue for Phenix City Schools. That estimate described the potential financial effect of losing the district tax. The November election places the renewal before voters again following the earlier result.

The countywide 4.5-mill renewal also failed in May, according to WTVM. Both proposals are returning to the November ballot after those defeats. The Phenix City district result provides a documented example of the narrow margin in the previous election.

Phenix City Schools Superintendent Nathan Walters addressed the uncertainty surrounding the taxes in September, according to WTVM. He said the district had already approved its budget for the 2026-27 school year and submitted it to the state. Walters said the loss of the taxes would not affect that school year.

4. What Phenix City Schools says the revenue pays for

Phenix City Schools officials discussed the purpose of the millage during an Oct. 27 community meeting, WTVM reported the following day. The district identified several positions and services supported by the tax revenue. Those included staffing, instructional support and building-related expenses.

According to the district's presentation, the millage helps pay for a vice principal at every school. Officials also identified additional librarians and counselors as positions supported by the revenue. Reading, math and graduation coaches were among the other staff members listed.

District representatives said the loss of the millage could affect funding for maintenance, renovations and employee paychecks, according to WTVM. Those concerns were presented during the community meeting explaining the renewal. The district connected the tax revenue to both personnel costs and the upkeep of school facilities.

The October presentation followed earlier statements about the district's financial planning. Walters had said in September that the approved 2026-27 budget would remain in place despite uncertainty surrounding the renewals. He also said the district would meet with city leaders about a backup plan if the measures failed again, according to WTVM.

5. What Russell County Schools says a loss would mean

Russell County Schools officials have also described the financial consequences of losing school tax revenue. During a September discussion reported by WTVM, district finance chief Robert Oliver estimated a loss of approximately $2 million annually. Oliver said the amount would total about $60 million over 30 years.

Oliver also raised concerns about the district's reserve fund, according to WTVM's Sept. 9 report. He said the reserves would not last long if the tax revenue were lost. His comments focused on the district's ability to continue operating with less funding.

The $2 million annual estimate was attributed specifically to Oliver in WTVM's coverage of Russell County Schools. It is separate from the approximately $1.5 million annual figure reported by Citizen of East Alabama for the Phenix City 4-mill district tax. The figures describe financial concerns raised about the two school systems.

Both school systems discussed the potential loss of revenue following the May election results. Russell County officials emphasized annual funding and reserves, while Phenix City officials identified staffing, educational programs and maintenance. Their statements were reported in September and October as the November renewals approached.

6. What school officials say homeowners would pay

Officials have provided homeowner cost examples when discussing the renewals. In September, Russell County Schools Community Education Director Paula Thompson gave an example involving a home valued at $150,000, according to WTVM. Thompson said the cost would be $86.50 per year, or about 18 cents per day.

Thompson emphasized the renewal status of the tax during the discussion. "It's a renewal, not a new tax," she said, according to WTVM's Sept. 9 report. Her comments accompanied the district's explanation of the revenue at stake.

Phenix City Schools Superintendent Nathan Walters provided a different homeowner cost estimate in September. According to WTVM's Sept. 2 report, Walters said the average homeowner cost was approximately $1 to $2 per month. His statement came as the district discussed its approved budget and the uncertainty surrounding the school tax renewals.

The two homeowner estimates were provided by different school officials in separate reports. Thompson's example concerned a $150,000 home, while Walters described a monthly amount for an average homeowner. Both figures are presented as attributed statements from the officials who supplied them.

7. District also discusses a $16 million building arrangement

The Phenix City Schools board addressed a separate building-related proposal during its Oct. 27 community meeting, according to WTVM. District representatives described a possible arrangement involving a building valued at $16 million. The plan was contingent on the city purchasing buildings from the district.

Under the arrangement described by school officials, the district would provide an $800,000 down payment and finance $10 million. The district also said it would have $6 million in equity, WTVM reported. Those figures were presented as part of the district's explanation of the potential transaction.

The proposed arrangement depended on the city's purchase of district buildings, according to the school board's presentation. District representatives discussed the financing figures during the same meeting at which they explained the school millage. The building discussion was separate from the two tax renewal measures returning to the November ballot.

8. What happens after the November decision

The Nov. 3 election follows the unsuccessful May renewals and several months of public discussion about school funding. WTVM reported that Phenix City Schools and Russell County Schools officials have described the financial effects of losing the taxes. Both measures concern the continuation of existing school property tax rates.

For Phenix City Schools, Walters said the district would meet with city leaders about a backup plan if the measures failed again. His September comments also stated that the 2026-27 school year would not be affected because the district's budget had already been approved and submitted to the state. Those statements outlined the school system's position before the November election.

Russell County Schools officials have focused on the potential annual loss and the district's reserves. Oliver estimated approximately $2 million in annual lost revenue and said reserves would not last long, according to WTVM. Phenix City officials, meanwhile, have identified instructional positions, maintenance and employee compensation as areas supported by the district millage.

The November measures return after both renewals failed in May, according to WTVM. The 4-mill Phenix City district proposal previously fell short by 14 votes in the unofficial results reported by Citizen of East Alabama. The two school systems have continued explaining their revenue estimates and the programs supported by the taxes ahead of the Nov. 3 election.